OVERVIEW OF FOLKSTYLE WRESTLING RULES

The object is to pin your opponent.

A pin (or fall) is when you put your opponent on his/her back with any part of both shoulders or both shoulder blades of your opponent in contact with the mat for two seconds. When you pin your opponent, the match is over and you are the winner.

If nobody gets pinned, the winner is the wrestler who has scored the most points during the match.

Scoring:

1) Takedown - (2 points) Taking opponent down to the mat and controlling him/her.
2) Escape - (1 point) Getting away or getting to a neutral position when your opponent has you down on the mat.
3) Reversal - (2 points) When your opponent has you down on the mat and you come from underneath and gain control of your opponent.
4) Near Fall (Back Points) - (2 or 3 points) Awarded for holding opponent's shoulders at a 45 degree angle for 3 (2 points) to 5 (3 points)
5) Penalty Points - (1 or 2 points) Your opponent is awarded points if you commit the following infractions. (NFHS penalty chart AT THIS LINK)
First infraction: opponent awarded 1 point

Second infraction: opponent awarded 1 point

Third infraction: opponent awarded 2 points

Fourth infraction: Disqualified (match is over)

(Except for illegal starting position or false start - you are cautioned twice, then one point awarded for each infraction, but you will not be disqualified. In the event of Flagrant Misconduct, you are ejected from the match on the first offense, you lose the match, and 3 team points are deducted).

Technical Violations:

False Start/Incorrect starting position: Following two cautions (warnings) there is a 1-point penalty for each subsequent infraction

Fleeing the mat: Going off the mat or forcing your opponent off the mat to avoid wrestling

Grabbing clothing, the mat, or the headgear

Locked or overlapped hands: If you are down on the mat in control of your opponent, you cannot lock or overlap your hands, fingers or arms around your opponent's body or both legs unless you have met criteria for a near pin of your opponent, or your opponent stands up and has all his/her weight on two feet, or you have lifted the opponent off the mat.
Reporting to the mat not properly equipped

Stalling You get one warning before you are penalized and points are awarded

Incorrect starting position or false start (You get two cautions before points are awarded).